Gentle? Quiet?

“A gentle and quiet spirit…is very precious in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:5

Oh dear! Is that me?

That quote listed above was taken from my daily calendar. It reflects language in the translation of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The words startled me and caused some self reflection.

There are many things about myself that are not always gentle and quiet. I like to talk and in a group discussion I like to chime in boldly and often.

I am a public speaker and do not shy away from what might be a touch of the limelight. I have a strong voice that as I teach my classes, can be heard down the hallways of our building.

Loud and proud? Hmmm….does that conflict with the notions of gentle and quiet?

On the other hand, if my words are not hurtful, if my words speak truth, if my tone reflects the person God made in me, is that so bad?

Psalm 139:14

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

1 John 3:2

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”

If I bear God’s likeness and speak the message with a big voice and a strong countenance, I see value in that. I will pray that my loud and proud nature is pleasing to my creator, that I will use my voice and my personality to bring the world some good.